The two times I've gone to Elias Tacos will be the first of many. These visits have also been immeditely proceded by  myself and a coworker teaching at least four hours of heath classes taught in our second language at the nearby, gigantic, and extremely well organized Sawyer Elementary School. I recommend the elementary school for the same reason that I give Elias five stars: there's a lot going on, you don't have to settle for just one thing, and you're definitely going to like whatever you decide.
To be real, both times I've gone there, I've gotten tacos de pollo- lots of meat, big pieces, nicely marinaded. They give tomatoes and lettuce as the default for pollo, which I'm ok with. I've also had tacos de lomo and picadillo- not as good, kind of gristley, but no lack of flavor there- and the onion and cilantro that came with them was fresh and not overwhelming. The tortillas are properly doubled up, and there's enough meat to divide amongst the tortillas so that one may leave with more tacos than you ordered- I ordered three, and left with four. Rice is nicely greasy and well seasoned, beans are nicely un-greasy and bland.
You've heard about the free soup that come to you in a little cup as soon as you sit down, but I need to emphasize the healing power of this soup. After teaching handwashing to 174 squirmy kindergartners, I'm pretty deep into my own hypochondria, and the schmaltz floating on top of this soup does more to calm me down than any guarentee on a squirt bottle of hand sanitizer. Two types of noodles, both cooked to gultenous comfort, the carrots and celery having given thier all to the broth. My companera goes crazy for the chips with crema and salsa, and we both got excited about trying a pickled Brussles sprout we found in our bowl of pickles today, but I'll remember the steam from that soup long after those kids I just taught have died from MRSA.
Some really good, some really bad.
Been here many times, service is usually good depending on the waitress (most are really nice but one of them is kinda rude, If you go I hope you don't get her, because if you do you will know, LOL). As soon as you sit, they bring salsas, chips and the most delicious cream I ever had. ( I could literally come here just for the cream) and chicken soup that is really good and fresh.
To the dishes now: Huge menu, Â AVOID breakfast, I have tried them a couple of times and they are horrible, just horrible. They are the typical Mexican breakfast with eggs, (ala Mexican, sunny side up, scrambled, albanil) bland rice and beans.
I have had some really good dishes here as well. Â Their Carne a al Tampiquena is amazing, the best I've ever had. They grill the meat to your taste and with a cheese enchilada on top, truly delicious.
I have also had their combo dishes and they are good. 3 out of six choices, taco, enchilada, tostada with rice and beans.
Seafood is decent here, nothing to brag about.
Usual drink menu of a Mexican restaurant, you know the deal, bottled Mexican drinks, horchata and jamaica water.
Elias tacos good, yes. Great no.
We sat down and got our menus and a few minutes later we got our chips, 2 salsas, pickled veggies, crema and 2 bowls of chicken noodle soup.
Chicken noodle soup was fresh and tasty. Definitely homemade stuff.
The green salsa had like a alcohol taste to it. Red one was better.
Large Horchata - If you like more of a cinnamon flavor to this drink then you will like theirs.
Taco Dinner - I opted for 1 steak, 1 al pastor and 1 lengua. The steak was nice and flavorful. I had half of a lengua and it was tender and flavorful. I nibbled on a little al pastor and thought it was a bit dry. Rice was good. Hmm...I actually wasn't too crazy about the tortillas they used.
Chicken Fajita - My guy said he thought it was a bit salty. I had a piece and it was a little salty.
Overall, I can see potential. Think I would like to try a carne asada next time. There also was a bit of a language barrier. I was trying to order a steak burrito for my brother to go and the waitress didn't understand me at all. Also, she didn't understand when I asked for a box. Ended up they made the steak burrito for there and I think it was the owner lady and I told her it was to go and I needed a box and she took care of everything.
Best AUTHENTIC mexican restaurant in the city!
They have street parking and a private lot directly across the street.
I like that they are open pretty late, I came in at midnight once and the place was PACKED.
Upon sitting down, a waitress brings you free soup (even in the summer lol), chips and 3-4 dips.
I always order the guacamole (homeade) three cheese quesidillas (I usually only can eat 1.5) and an horchata to drink. I based authenticity on if they have horchatas and if they use corn tortillas lol.
DELICOUS mom & pop establishment.
Oh and they have HUGE margaritas- they do not water them down either, they pack a PUNCH lol.
Just ordered dinner for the first time. Slight challenge due to language.
But the girl said it would be 20 to 25 minutes for delivery and it came in 20 exactly.
Order was HOT! and great I have ordered delivery before and you usually will not get the chips and salsa they did not forget these. Great dinner and would defiantly call again. And if I am not to lazy perhaps stop on my way home from work. Would have Loved a menu.
Elias is usually always on target. There have been times when the food wasn't consistent but Elias deserves five stars. This is probably one of the best Mexican places in the city. After you seat yourself you are welcomed almost immediatley with a basket of chips, two cups of salsa, sour cream, pickled veggies, and the best chicken noodle soup I've ever had. The taco dinner is a good choice and I prefer the steak and chicken tacos. A co-worker and I will sometimes split a combo order of fajitas with extra tortillas and it's just enough during lunch. After work Elias is just as good and the beer is cheap!
This place has great food but not great decor. The music can be way too loud at times, but is a must if in the area.
Gage Park is home to a bajillion Mexican restaurants and taco stands, and it's really hard to pick the good from the bad, especially given the options and the neighborhood. But Elia's? Elia's is the place to eat.
This place is small, so you won't be waiting long for service. Seconds after you find yourself in your seat, a waiter brings you chips, salsa verde, and pickled garlic and carrots, and tops it all off with some homemade soup. Score one for Elia's.
The food is made fresh and to order, not like other "Mexican" restaurants that keep a plate of tacos warm for the random anglo who walks in. Not cool. Elia's keeps it real and will use fresh ingredients each and every time. Their guacamole is OUTSTANDING. Lemme say that again. OUTSTANDING. I've never had anything like it. And they make margaritas strong and they keep 'em coming.
Their tostadas are out of this world, and if you ask for avacado on your taco, it's definitely not hidden in there. You want avocado? They're topping tacos with 1-2 of those buttery gems. Crema? Your wish is their command.
Elia's is pure, authentic, Mexican goodness. It's totally worth the 20 minute drive for me, and there's nothing like a strong margarita after a long day at work to make you thankful for Elia's.
As soon as you sit down in Elia's, anywhere mind you because you sit yourself, WHAM - a server has brought you chips, salsa roja, salsa verde, crema, pickled garlic/carrots/jalapenos, and some homemade chicken noodle sup. Â ROCK!
The food is authentic and delicious. Â Did they really heap a whole avocado onto that taco? Â I think so. Â And the margaritas? Â Strong, just the way I like 'em.
Inconveniently located right down the street from one my personal favorites, Â Las Brisas Del Mar, Â I have been driving right past the smells, Â the crowds, Â and the brightly lit sign of Elias always thinking, Â am I missing something? Â If I go there will I hate myself for missing out on the perfect tortillas at Brisas?
A coworker, Â Jose recommended this place years ago, Â he had never been to my place, Â I never to his. Â It is no wonder, Â when you find a gem it is hard to separate yourself from comfort to explorer mode. Â I don't expect mi amigo to run off experimenting based on the recommendations of a gringo, Â but maybe you can.
Elias has ample parking on the street,  or across in a private lot.  We walked in and were greeted to quasi live music,  a Mexican guy singing into a little amplifier  and playing guitar.  He was good,  I didn't see him until half way through his set and was convinced there was a band in the back room.
This review was destined for 5 stars within a minute of our greeting. Â We sat and received our menus, Â suddenly eight different things appeared on the table. Â Salsa verde, Â with remnants of charred bits gave it a smoky background, Â salsa Mexicana, Â crema, chips, chiles en escabeche (pickled peppers and carrots with garlic and onions), Â limes and two bowls of complimentary sopa de pollo. Â I hadn't even looked at the menu yet and the table was ful of pure Mexican goodness. Â The chicken soup was light, Â with noodles and some firm vegetables, Â it tasted like chicken, Â rather than the ubiquitous "sazon" Â the Hispanic version of "Accent". Â I was won over.
We split a fried Snapper (Huachinaga al Gusto) Â I ordered in Spanish and my friend said, Â "she speaks English." Â I replied, Â "I don't know how to say that dish in English." Â Then I tipped my Bohemia and proclaimed "salut!" Â We also got some tacos pastor and al carbon. Â The fish was slightly overcooked, Â but I have never had a whole fried fish that wasn't, Â it was served with tomatoes, Â lettuce, Â guacamole and mayonnaise, Â this made a nice sauce to swipe over the crispy fish. Â The tortillas it was served with were hand made of high quality masa. The grilled steak taco was delicious, Â meaty and charred, Â tender and a perfect match to the hand made tortillas. Â The pastor was very good as well, Â although a touch drier than other versions, Â it was still of top quality.
The restaurant and bathrooms are a bit on the dingy side, Â the staff was very friendly as were the many customers there on a Sunday night.
Now the dilemma, Â which one do I go to next?
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